Ukraine updates in English

[N0TZU]

The upsurge in attacks is creating a situation where if Trump really wants to end this war, he's going to have to up the ante for Putin. Or, he's just going to have to accept letting things progress until one or both sides give up, and be called a Loser or a Quitter by his detractors - the latter of which he hates more than anything.
If he decides to up the ante, he won't do it in the same orthodox way that Biden did, sending money to be embezzled by the Ukraine authorities. He will do something unexpected... I'm not sure what, of course.

I hope you are right, but I’m not very hopeful because of his record, despite his comments today about Putin. (Having said that, I do hope I’m wrong.)

Trump has consistently given the carrot to Putin and the stick to Zelensky, which has resulted in an emboldened Putin who has steadily increased his attacks and reduced efforts at negotiation. It’s open and obvious. Yet all he’s received from Trump is silence or mild criticism. The first priority for Trump seems to be maintaining relatively good relations with Putin for reasons I’ve mentioned previously.

In addition, he has since the beginning of peace efforts been mostly blaming Ukraine and Zelensky for the war and setting them up to take all the blame for a failure of the peace negotiation. With his fragile ego, Trump will never admit making mistakes even if it takes twisting reality into a pretzel.

[US7IGN]

The airstrikes continued tonight, although it was a little quieter on my side than yesterday. https://trueua.info/news/u-kyyevi-zranku-lunaly-vybukhy-shcho-vidomo

The US president said on Truth Social on Sunday: "Something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely crazy. He is needlessly killing a lot of people."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump's comment was a "very important moment... connected to an emotional overload of everyone involved" but added the russian president was taking decisions "necessary for the security" of russia.

Trump posted his "crazy" remark shortly afterwards, adding on Truth Social: "I've always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of russia!"

But the US president also had strong words for Zelensky, saying that he was "doing his country no favours by talking the way he does".

"Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop," Trump wrote of Zelensky.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g2wz74jdzo

russian troops have eliminated a Ukrainian "pocket" southwest of Toretsk after a four-month offensive operation to level the front line south and southwest of Kostyantynivka and captured several more settlements, the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported in its latest report. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-25-2025

On Saturday, May 24, another prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and russia as part of the "thousand for a thousand" agreement that Kyiv and Moscow reached during talks in Istanbul. In total, 5,757 Ukrainians have returned from russian captivity since 2022. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c753q6453vqo

Many Ukrainians are unhappy that among those released there are no Azov soldiers, whom Zelensky ordered to surrender during the defense of Mariupol back in 2022, but any released ones are better than none. There is no official information, but it is said that russia holds several times more Ukrainian prisoners than vice versa. Perhaps among them are civilians from the occupied territories.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States have lifted restrictions on the supply of military equipment to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

According to him, "long-range strikes with Western weapons on russian territory are now permitted." https://censor.net/ua/n3554381

The only question is whether such weapons will be provided to Ukraine?

It may have to be bought, but there is no more money for this. There is a UAH 400 billion “hole” in the state budget of Ukraine for defense, and it is still unclear where to get it. This was reported on May 26 by the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Financial and Tax Policy Yaroslav Zheleznyak. Also, according to him, “nothing is clear with the financing of partners, and there will also clearly be a problem with exports to the EU.” https://sud.ua/uk/news/publication/331952-v-byudzhete-na-oboronu-dyra-na-400-mlrd-pervyy-zamestitel-glavy-nalogovogo-komiteta-rady-zheleznyak

Since the beginning of the great russian invasion, the EU decision to grant temporary protection to Ukrainians has become the basis, thanks to which more than 4 million Ukrainian citizens have received the opportunity to live a safer life in Europe for themselves and their children.

This status also gave the right to work and access to public services - education, medicine.

So in addition to security, Ukrainians have had the opportunity to see for themselves what it is like to live, work, raise children, pay taxes or receive treatment in Europe.

For some, this has become a dream come true, for others - an incentive to return to Ukraine despite the shelling.

The war has been going on for more than three years, and protection is increasingly perceived as something permanent. But this is not so. Currently, the EU decision on temporary protection for Ukrainians is valid until March 2026. However, Europe is already thinking about what to do with it next. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c2499np3ep7o

Today, one of my acquaintances was captured. He was taken to some sort of distribution point, which he says looks like a regular prison. But his phone was not taken away and he promises to keep me informed of what happens next. Of course, no mobilization procedures were followed, but he has illnesses that prevent him from serving. We'll see if that makes any difference.

[N0TZU]

Wlad, I’m very sorry to hear about your acquaintance being detained for potential military service. I hope he won’t have to serve.

Good news that weapons use restrictions have been eliminated. I haven’t yet seen verification in the news here that American weapons are included (I may have overlooked it.) Also good news that another POW exchange took place, at least some are surviving to come home.

I just read for myself the transcripts of what Trump said and what he posted today about Putin, much of which you posted.

Sigh.

It reminds me of Police Captain Renault in Casablanca who leads a raid on Rick’s casino, saying “I’m shocked! Shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!”  This is followed immediately by a croupier giving him his winnings, to which Renault replies “Oh, thank you very much.”

[US7IGN]

There were no drones in Kyiv today and I managed to get some sleep.

In the morning, my friend called and said that they were to be lined up in the yard and taken to military units, offering to pick them up. Those who were not picked up are being brought back. Those who do not want to go continue to sit in the basement. This is a video from the same basement - https://www.facebook.com/100044444803752/posts/1257058425785639/ There is no access to medicine but it doesn't look so bad.

On Monday, May 26, a crowd of men and women attacked workers of the mobilization center in Cherkasy. A video of the incident was posted on social media. The Cherkasy Regional Mobilization Center reported that the incident occurred during a check of the men’s military records on the street.

“Citizens provoked a conflict with servicemen of the mobilization center. Currently, police are identifying the perpetrators, witnesses, and eyewitnesses, and the necessary investigative and operational measures are being taken,” the mobilization center said. https://sud.ua/uk/news/video/332043-v-cherkassakh-tolpa-muzhchin-i-zhenschin-napala-na-sotrudnikov-ttsk-video

The Command of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reminded citizens of their responsibility due to the increase in cases of obstruction of the lawful activities of military personnel of mobilization centers.

"Recently, the number of video materials recording deliberate obstruction of the activities of military personnel of mobilization centers has significantly increased on the Internet and social networks, with some citizens openly encouraging others to take such actions," the message says.

The Ground Forces emphasized that any deliberate obstruction of the performance of military duties by military personnel, including threats, moral pressure, the use of physical force or damage to vehicles, is a serious offense and is classified under Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Such actions are punishable by imprisonment for a term of 5 to 8 years.
https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/1075092.html

The West provided Ukraine with up to a hundred missiles for long-range strikes on the russian Federation, and they hit targets in the occupied territories and in the immediate radius of the borders. The partners can lift the restrictions, but then it will turn out that these missiles are too few to cause harm to the russians. Forbes wrote about the situation with missiles for long-range strikes on the russian Federation. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2025/05/27/ukraine-can-now-target-russian-bases-with-western-missiles-but-how-many-remain/?ctpv=searchpage

[N0TZU]

So we now there is yet another two week deadline from Trump for Putin to show that he is “serious” about negations for peace in Ukraine. I expect that this will work as well on Putin now as it has previously. (This doesn’t work on misbehaving children either, but I digress.)

Meantime civilians and their infrastructure continue to be destroyed by Russia in increasing attacks. To most people that would already indicate a very sincere lack of interest in negotiations by Putin.

Here is a damning article about ineffective western sanctions on Russian exports of oil and gas. Bottom line, due to half-hearted sanctions, Russia continues to receive more revenue from the west for energy than Ukraine has received in aid. Spoiler warning: Trump’s idea of very low cost OPEC (Saudi) oil will not hamper Russia.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxk454kxz8o

It’s worth noting in this context that Trump is trying to kill US alternative energy efforts and increase use of oil and gas, a strategic blunder IMO.

[US7IGN]

I don't know if anyone still believes what Trump and putin are saying, but I don't expect anything from the next round of talks in Istanbul, which is scheduled for Monday, June 2.

Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of "doing everything it can to ensure the next possible meeting is fruitless". putin and Zelensky are not expected to attend the talks on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said russia's ceasefire proposals would not be made public, and Moscow would only entertain the idea of a high-level summit if meaningful progress was achieved in preliminary discussions between the two countries.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93yv5zpk1ko

The first round of talks two weeks ago in Istanbul brought no breakthrough, but achieved a prisoner of war swap.

russia appears to launch new offensive in Ukraine amid peace talks, reported in The New York Times. Moscow’s dual campaign of intensified frontline attacks and bombardment of Ukrainian cities has further reduced the prospects for an end to the fighting.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-offensive.html

The US President's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, called Moscow's concerns about NATO expansion justified.

"We have repeatedly said that Ukraine's accession to NATO is not on our agenda. And we are not the only country that says that. I can probably name you four countries that are members of NATO," Kellogg said, adding that joining the Alliance requires the support of all 32 countries.

According to him, NATO's expansion to the east is one of the issues that russia will raise.

"And they are not only talking about Ukraine. They are talking about Georgia. They are talking about Moldova. And we say: 'Okay, comprehensively, we can stop NATO expansion that is approaching your borders. This is their security concern,'" Kellogg added. https://abcnews.go.com/International/video/gen-keith-kellogg-trump-frustrated-russias-level-unreasonableness-122316532

According to the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) participating state, russian-flagged cargo vessels delivered as many as 9 million rounds of mixed artillery and multiple rocket launcher ammunition from the DPRK to russia in 2024. Using open source information, the Open Source Centre (OSC) has estimated that russian vessels delivered 4.2 to 5.8 million rounds of 122mm and 152mm munitions between August 2023 and March 2025.7

According to an MSMT participating state, between January and December 2024 alone the DPRK transferred to russia at least 100 ballistic missiles, which were subsequently launched into Ukraine to destroy civilian infrastructure and terrorize populated areas such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. The DPRK also transferred to russia elements of three brigade sets of heavy artillery, including DPRK-origin 170mm long range self-propelled artillery pieces, 240mm long-range multiple rocket launchers, more than 200 total vehicles, self-propelled guns, multiple rocket launchers, and reload vehicles for both types of weapons. https://msmt.info/Publications/detail/MSMT%20Report/4195

[N0TZU]

I agree that very few believe what is said. It’s only window dressing to hide the weak and ineffective position of Trump v. Putin.

Keith Kellog might as well say that the US thinks Russian expansion by force is justified, since it’s the conclusion that Putin will naturally draw. He could be even more helpful and honest by drawing a map of countries that could be invaded and seized without provoking a response from NATO.

Now Russia buys or trades goods and knowledge for large amounts of arms and equipment from DPRK (and Iran) instead of the reverse. Although Russia can still feed itself while DPRK often cannot, so that’s one thing in favor of such a strong imperial power.  /s

[US7IGN]

Another difficult week is over, although there will be even more difficult ones ahead. At least for a couple of days there were no drones and missiles and I was able to sleep normally.
Due to the workload at work, I didn’t even pay attention to the fact that yesterday in Kyiv there were large raids on men, when they blocked the roads and checked all the cars and buses. I don’t follow the messages on messengers on this topic, but it is being discussed actively on the forums.

But I also have to be careful. As of today, more than half of the previousely "limitedly fit" citizens have passed the repeated military medical commission, 99% of them were recognized as fit for military service. This was stated by the MP, member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence Fedir Venislavsky during a briefing. https://www.unian.ua/society/mobilizaciya-v-ukrajini-99-obmezheno-pridatnih-na-vlk-viznayut-pridatnimi-do-sluzhbi-13022727.html

That is, Ukrainian doctors perform miracles that are inaccessible to Jesus - they heal 99% of the sick, often without even seeing them.

Another deputy claims that everyone who has not passed the medical commission by June 5 will be automatically deemed fit. https://today.ua/479322-ukrayinciv-yaki-ne-projdut-povtorno-vlk-avtomatichno-viznayut-pridatnimi-i-mobilizuyut/

On the one hand, you can understand the Ukrainian generals - soldiers no longer need to endure great physical exertion. Their task is to get to the nearest trench and die there from being hit by a drone or an air bomb. And their state of health in this case does not matter at all, since the presence of a soldier in the trench will still be ensured.

Perhaps this is why the government protects the police and other strong, healthy, and armed people. I saw an interview with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, filmed several months ago, in which he convinced a journalist that the police were unfit for war because they were taught to shoot ordinary criminals in the city, not to fight in the field. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX0YwwY-oiE

On May 29, an incident occurred in the city of Kamianets-Podilskyi between a group of civilians and representatives of the mobilization center. It is reported that about 100 people took part in the fight, both servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civilians were injured. In addition, a service vehicle was damaged.
https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/masova-sutychka-z-ttsk-stalasia-u-kamiantsi-podilskomu-100-liudey-zablokuvaly-avto-2839034.html
https://novyny.live/tck-uk/sirskii-nakazav-rozsliduvati-pobittia-ttsk-u-kamiantsi-podilskomu-257619.html

Additionally, an explosion occurred near a car belonging to a representative of the mobilization center in Kharkiv Oblast. The serviceman was seriously injured as a result of the incident. https://harkiv.novyny.live/na-kharkivshchini-bilia-avto-viiskovogo-stavsia-vibukh-257372.html

This is a very bad sign and the problem is clearly not with the people whom the authorities accuse of disobedience.

My acquaintance moved even closer to the front. According to him, he was promised that he would serve in the rear of the supply line, but like the others, he was given military documents, according to which he is already fully fit for service. I think he will soon be at the front.

The Ukrainian military will soon be left without the main tool for detecting and destroying the enemy using civilian Mavic 3 drones, hundreds of thousands of which are in service with the Defense Forces and for which military personnel and volunteers often raise money. Since the beginning of 2025, the Chinese company DJI has stopped their production.

Instead, DJI has introduced a new drone in the series - the Mavic 4 Pro. It is he who should replace one of the company's most popular drones in the world, logically continuing the series of drones that are easy to learn and versatile in functionality.

It would seem that there is no problem, but the issue is not only in the drones themselves, but also in the infrastructure set up for them. Remote controls, antennas, batteries, software, mounting systems - much of this will have to be replaced.

In addition, the political factor remains risky. Zelensky has already stated that China is limiting the sale of drones of this type to Europe, but at the same time is helping russia more. https://mezha.media/oboronka/dji-mavic-3-znyali-z-virobnictva-shcho-bude-dali-ta-chi-ye-ukrajinski-analogi-302336/

Vitali Klitschko was a heavyweight boxer before becoming mayor of Kyiv, but now faces a fight for control after the Ukrainian president curbed his powers. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of authoritarianism and of undermining democratic institutions under the cover of wartime, according to The Times.
https://english.nv.ua/nation/klitschko-accuses-zelenskyy-of-wartime-authoritarianism-in-comments-to-the-times-50518491.html

[US7IGN]

Today I woke up very early from the explosions of air defense, but it seems that there was no destruction in Kyiv this time. The air alert lasted for more than 9 hours, and the number of drones and missiles with which the enemy attacked Ukraine set a new record - 479 air attack vehicles, of which 472 were drones, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
https://ua.news/ua/war-vs-rf/vorog-zapustiv-po-ukrayini-rekordnu-kilkist-droniv-povitriani-sili

Also, after the russian strike on the 239th training ground, where many Ukrainian soldiers were killed and wounded, the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatiy, who was appointed to the position only at the end of last year, resigned. At the same time, the Major General noted that circular responsibility and impunity are poison for the army. Drapatiy noted that he tried to eradicate it from the Land Forces, but failed. https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/drapatiy-podav-vidstavku-pislya-rosiyskogo-1748784060.html

russian investigators have blamed sabotage for the collapse of two separate bridges near the Ukrainian border. In the Bryansk region, a road bridge collapsed, sending heavy trucks crashing down on to a moving passenger train and killing at least seven people.

Hours later in neighbouring Kursk, a railway bridge collapsed while a freight train was passing over it, injuring one of the drivers.

Ukraine's military intelligence says a russian military train has been derailed outside Melitopol, southern Ukraine.
https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cq69qlgdg93o

But the main news of the day was undoubtedly the results of the unprecedented attacks on кussian territory. Explosions were heard in the russian city of Severomorsk, which is located near the Barents Sea, and later a fire broke out. It is currently known that the fire is taking place at a naval base where nuclear submarines belonging to the so-called "nuclear triad" of the russian Federation are maintained. https://focus.ua/uk/voennye-novosti/708637-vibuhi-v-syevyeromorsku-masshtabna-pozhezha-vinikla-bilya-bazi-pidvodnih-chovniv-video?utm_source=ukrnet_news

Four airfields attacked across a vast area of russia and, according to Ukrainian sources, more than 40 aircraft were hit, including some of Moscow’s huge strategic bombers. According to a statement from Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, “enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in russia”.

It has released dramatic video which it says shows a drone attack at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk oblast, in Siberia. Bombers are under attack, with explosions visible and smoke rising. Reports suggest other aircraft have been attacked at the Olenya airbase, near Murmansk. russian media is reporting the attack in Murmansk but says air defences are working. The attack in Irkutsk is also being reported. Witnesses nearby filmed on their phones how drones took off from trucks parked near the airports and headed towards the airport, where they exploded.

The air bases are about 2,000 and 5,000 kilometres (1,243 miles and 3,107 miles) away from Kyiv, respectively.

It is reported that several other air bases, including Severniy in Ivanovo region, Dyagilevo in Ryazan region and Engels-2 in Saratov region, and Ukrainka in the far-east region of Amur, have also been targeted by Ukrainian drones.
https://focus.ua/uk/voennye-novosti/708631-bpla-atakuvali-aviabazi-olenya-ta-belaya-v-rf-urazheno-40-litakiv-podrobici?utm_source=ukrnet_news
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgrg7kelk45t

The fact that only those components of russia's military potential that directly threaten the West are being selectively hit says it all. The CIA and MI6 will not tell anyone anything in our lifetime, but thank you for that!

The latest wave of drone strikes on the Kremlin's military assets comes hours before russia and Ukraine are set for the next round of peace talks in Istanbul.

[KD8ZM-Brady]

The attack on Russia was great news,  and I hope this will get hopefully gets Putin to the table.
I'm sure his latest nuclear threat to the west will be sent any minute now.

[N0TZU]

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!

The Ukrainian drone attacks in far flung areas of Russia are brilliant and spectacular successes and I congratulate everyone involved who made it happen. I believe that there must have been a number of operatives inside Russia and I hope that they were able to escape to safety, or soon will.

What an amazingly asymmetrical operation it was. The cost ratio is astronomical with low cost drones destroying many essentially irreplaceable strategic bombers and probably other high value hardware that we haven’t learned about yet (possibly submarine related?).

I just read this opinion column which highlights Ukrainian resolve and ingenuity in using recent technological advances to dramatically change the battlefield in actual practice. In the process ushering in a new era of far less costly weapons which obsolete expensive traditional weapons platforms, especially manned ones.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/06/01/ukraine-drone-attack-russia-bombers/

It will be interesting to see what military analysts say about this in the coming days.

[KD8ZM-Brady]

Right on cue as I had predicted, the "I'll destroy the world if you fight back" message has been received. I've lost count as to how many times the world has been destroyed in the last 3 years.
In English, we have a saying, "when the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

[US7IGN]

For most russians, the attack on the planes went unnoticed - official news reports said the Ukrainian drone attack had been successfully repelled and small fires were quickly extinguished. Instead, the focus shifted to the victims of bridge-blow accidents.

A second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have ended without a major breakthrough, and only an agreement between the warring sides to swap more prisoners of war. Ukrainian negotiators said russia had again rejected an "unconditional ceasefire" - a key demand by Kyiv and its allies in Europe and the US.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyng4dknwwo

In Poland, the right-wing populist Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election by a margin of 50.9% - 49.1% over liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski - as the first step to a return to power. Poland's president has limited influence on foreign and defence policy, but can propose and veto bills. Tusk's government lacks a big enough parliamentary majority to overturn a presidential veto.

Nawrocki emphasized anti-Ukrainianism to a greater extent than Rafał Trzaskowski. Not only did he claim that he would not send Polish troops to the Dnipro on a stabilization mission (Trzaskowski said the same thing), but he also emphasized that he did not see Ukraine in NATO. In this respect, he presented an opinion different from that of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda. But it is consistent with what representatives of the Donald Trump administration say.

He agreed to a veto against Ukraine's presence in the Alliance, signing a list of demands presented to him by Sławomir Mentzen in order to win votes from Confederation voters. Today, the question is how flexible he will be in his approach to this announcement in the coming months of his term, taking into account the situation in the east. https://www.rp.pl/polityka/art42438741-silna-armia-i-weto-ws-ukrainy-czyli-bezpieczenstwo-okiem-karola-nawrockiego

In addition, during the elections, he actively used the topic of the Volyn tragedy and actually fueled the negative attitude of Poles towards Ukrainians.

In Poland itself, the first president, Lech Walesa, reacted very sharply to Nawrocki's victory. "I will not console you. We must face reality. These elections have revealed the whole truth about Polish society. Democracy in Poland collapsed on June 1, 2025," Walesa wrote. He strongly criticized the moral qualities of the future president.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crk28vm77d6o

Time will tell what the future holds for relations between Poland and Ukraine, but the Poles' choice demonstrates the division of society, where, according to my daughter, educated people voted for Rafal. Trzaskowski has three higher educations, was a scholarship holder in Oxford and Paris. He has been in politics for over a decade and a half: he was elected as a member of the European Parliament and the Polish Sejm, was the Minister of Digital Development of Poland and the State Secretary of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Detractors say that Trzaskowski's problem is his image as a regular in elite political salons, far from the problems and hopes of the average Pole.
https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cwy7xn4zg0no

In any case, the attitude of Poles towards Ukrainians is constantly deteriorating, although Ukrainians working in Poland annually pay approximately 18 billion zlotys to the country's state budget in the form of taxes and social contributions. This is almost 5 billion dollars. This was reported by former Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka.

The former official emphasized the significant contribution of Ukrainian workers to the Polish economy. According to him, some Ukrainians in Poland receive social benefits, but their total amount per year is no more than 2 billion zlotys. But they bring 18 billion zlotys to the budget.

At the same time, Ukrainians are also important in other areas of life in a European country. Belka noted that they create new values ​​and contribute to the development of society. https://inpoland.net.pl/novosti/skilki-pracevlashtovani-ukra%D1%97nci-prinesli-do-byudzhetu-polshhi/

[N0TZU]

Right on cue as I had predicted, the "I'll destroy the world if you fight back" message has been received. I've lost count as to how many times the world has been destroyed in the last 3 years.
In English, we have a saying, "when the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

Putin really needs to come up with new threat. That one is all worn out.

[US7IGN]

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) says it has managed to strike the Crimea bridge with underwater explosives following an operation lasting "several months". russian media initially said the bridge was briefly closed to traffic but that it had reopened by 10:00 local time. However, later in the day, local authorities warned the bridge was closed again.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz708lpzgxro